Lord Dufferin set up a department for procuring authentic information on the social and political condition of Indian people in 1887

Sale of First Day Cover and commemorative postage stamp on Intelligence Bureau (IB), brought out in connection with 125 years of the organisation, commenced at the Head Post Office here on Tuesday.

The commemorative stamp priced Rs. 5 features the IB insignia that symbolises the quintessence of the intelligence organisation.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Abhinav Kumar inaugurated the sale of First Day Cover and commemorative postage stamp at the Philately Bureau in Head Post Office premises in the presence of Assistant Director, IB, Tiruchi unit S. Mathiazhagan and personnel of the central intelligence agency.

The IB is one of the oldest intelligence organisations in the world with its history dating back to the British era. On December 23, 1887, the British government sanctioned the proposal of Lord Dufferin, Viceroy of India, to set up a department for procuring authentic information regarding the social and political condition of Indian people and the State.

It was initially conceived as the Central Special Branch with units in the provinces and princely states to coordinate with the government and the special branches of the provincial government in British India.

Over the years, its nomenclature underwent changes and it was in 1920 that the IB came to be known by its present name. The IB is the mother organisation for several other agencies such as the Research and Analysis Wing, Indo – Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force, Special Protection Group and Sahastra Seema Bal which were carved out of it.

The IB has its presence even in the remote corners of the country with its personnel serving under a veil of secrecy. Its motto “Jagritam Aharnisham” depicts the long standing tradition within the IB which propels its personnel to remain alert always and put in their all in protecting the nation, according to a brochure brought out by the Department of Posts.